I just recently moved and had to drive for about 1000kms and noticed a few things with my car. First when I am driving uphill I find my car lags and gasps and almost sounds like its spattering and about to go off. I also tend to lose alot of speed when driving uphill and are forced to accelerate manually as opposed to just having it set on cruise. That being said the RPM after driving for a while is always belowe the half mark ( i dont know this could be normal). When i first bought my car 5 years ago I made a trip of a similar distance back and forth and didnt have a problem. This all brought me down to think that my car may need a tune up after 293K. If it's possible to have do the tune-ups on my own rather than have someone do them, I'd appreciate them sharing this information along with tools and equipment necessary. Thanks.

 

replace plugs use NGK ZFR5F-11 , replace cap and rotor and fuel filter,, there is a write up on our DIY section on how to replace fuel filter , replace air filter,

if you leave the car with cruise engaged , it feels like engine struggle going uphill , if a steep hill , you got to downshift to lower gear ...

 

Thanks, what I am saying though is it never used to be like this but mybe time and wear have done this and hopefully after a tune up it should be as health as ever.

 

Purchase a Haynes or Chiltons manual. They not only include instruction for tune-ups and general repairs but will include a list of tools you will need.

 

Try the tune up method first, but if the tune up doesn't help, I'd check the compression.